When you display a new slide in your presentation, pause for a couple of seconds to let your audience take it in. Then, they’ll be able to turn their attention to you.
If you speak immediately, their attention is divided and you’re competing with the slide. This competition for attention between you and the slide is actually a little uncomfortable for the audience because people don’t want conflict inside their brain. They don’t want to have to choose.
So make it easy for them. Think of the pause as a courtesy to your audience. You’re giving them the gift of a moment of silence so they can better understand your slide because you launch into your explanation.
When you write out what you’ll say, you can even include pause instructions to yourself, like this:
[SLIDE 3 – PAUSE]
This will help you get into the habit of pausing while you use your script for practice. Because its a rhythm thing; you’ll need to get used to it.
Do you have a habit of pausing after you display a new slide?
I prepare powerpoint presentations for our Sunday worship.
My challenge is to keep in time with the Pastors and the readings. The other more interesting challenge is to present highlights along with illustrations to give more impact to the sermon…again, timing is essential. The problem I am having at present is to present bulletin announcements at the beginning of the worship service and afterward. I want to loop these items. The rest of the service is paced to the speakers. I am using 2007 at present but plan on upgrading soon to 2010 software…on W7. I’ve followed the instructions from MS on looping, but it isn’t working so far.
Very cool and useful tip! Thank you.
Kathi,
I’m not sure exactly what you mean, but here are 2 tips on looping:
http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/pptblog/create-a-looping-ending-for-your-powerpoint-presentation/
http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/pptblog/create-a-looping-introduction/
I hope they help.
Ellen
Hi Ellen, Another great post. Audiences can’t read and listen to you at the same time, so giving them time to assimilate new information is important! I find that if you want to be able to get the attention of the audience then one of the best methods is just the ‘B’ button, this blanks the screen putting all the attention onto the presenter and what they have to say.
Harry,
The B key is a great tool, although not when you want people to be looking at a slide, during that brief pause, of course.
I do mention it at http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/pptblog/keys-to-successfully-teaching-a-complex-subject/, but don’t go into the rationale very much, so thanks for mentioning it. I should probably write a post on the B key!
So simple, and yet so true. We are called upon to do so much multitasking throughout our workday. Expecting your audience to listen to you speak as well as view your presentation is yet another call to juggle using different parts of your brain. I think that careful pacing, as you suggest, goes a long way in keeping the audience on track. Another useful technique, instead of a black screen, is a section divider, which gives the viewer just a taste of what’s to come. It can be as simple as a solid color background with one word or phrase, but it has the same effect of allowing the audience to pause and think.